Split Rock, May 20th, 2017

commentary and photos by John
18 hikers lead by Marty headed down Stanrock Rd this morning to Split Rock with an add on to Rooster Rock. It was a beautiful sunny spring day with the black flies out, however, they did not deter our enjoyment of the day. We got a little confused as to which direction the trail really was but with a little teamwork, we managed to find our way..  Thanks Marty for a beautiful May hike.
PHOTOS

Safe Hiker & Hike Leader courses update

The Safe Hiker and Hike Leader courses will be offered Saturday and Sunday May 27th and 28th.
They will be held at the Coureurs de Bois clubhouse and will begin at 9:00 am on both days.
Coffee and lunch will be provided.  Anyone still wishing to enroll has until Thursday the 25th to do so by calling Gerry at 705-461-6304. There is no cost for club members. 

May 18th hike

photos by Laura
PHOTOS

Sleepy Hollow, May 15, 2017

Commentary and photos by Donna
Norah led her first hike today, she led us from upper gate to lower tailings area and return.  Chuck gave us a presentation based on pics of rocks attached on how these were formed.  Lunch was on our usual leisure hike log, with Norah setting a "new precedent" for all hike leaders by treating us with yummy homemade desserts which we all know Norah loves.  Some sandpipers and geese got our attention.  Donna thought she lost her good sunglasses til Norah noticed Donna was already wearing them......must have been those brownies Norah!!  PHOTOS

Quirke Tailings, May 13, 2017

Commentary by Ron, photos by Astrid

Just another day in paradise as nineteen of us hiked just under 8kms at the Quirke Tailings site. As we hiked the wooded section south of the tailing ponds we were greeted by six Sand Hill cranes, a group of five & one loner; AWESOME! It is official, the black flies are out in numbers; fortunate for us they were more of a nuisance as they were not biting; this however changed the location of our lunch break; instead of sitting on the shore of Evans lake we went atop of the dam overlooking the lake to get away from the flies. After our lunch break we continued across the dam to the tailings roadway on the north side of the ponds to return to our vehicles.  Again we are fortunate to have this in our backyard. PHOTOS

***** Hiker Chicks Dinner *****

Sirje is hosting this month's Hiker Chicks dinner.  It will be held on May 19 at 5:30 pm, at The 17 Restaurant (corner of Hwy 17 and Woodward Ave, Blind River).  Please call Sirje at 227-1186 before May 18 if you would like to attend.

***** Highway Cleanup Update *****

Many thanks to the following for their assistance in the highway cleanup today; Jim, George, John V, Don, Marty, Norah, Emily, Astrid, Shelley, Rod, Rick, Laura, and Jackie.  Your efforts go a long way in keeping our little corner of paradise that much nicer!

Victoria Falls & Mountain, May 9, 2017

Commentary by Sheila, photos by Sheila, Louise & Emily
On Tuesday May 9, a hike led by Sheila and guided by Phill, saw 18 adventurous hikers make their way to see Victoria Falls and then climb the mountain.  Temperatures were good and the views were spectacular!  PHOTOS

***** May Memos *****

A reminder to all members of the Highway Cleanup TOMORROW at 10 am.  Please meet in the Sears parking lot; equipment supplied, though you may want to bring gloves.  If the last two cleanups are anything to go by, we'll be done by 1 pm at the latest (but no guarantees!!)

The Club's next General Meeting is TUESDAY, MAY 16, 7pm at the Clubhouse.  Our guest speaker will be David Hamlin, Blind River's Conservation Officer.  See you there!

Minutes of the CdeB General Meeting 17 Jan. 2017

7pm at the Clubhouse

16 members in attendance, 2 visitors (Carol Blacquiere, President and Chris Kuntz, Membership Co-ordinator) from the VTA.

Treasurers report submitted, motion to accept by Shelley, seconded by Gerry R.  Passed.

Club trailer sale update. One offer of $300 received, Gerry R  countered with $450. No reply. Further attempts to sell will be made in the Spring.

Proposal by Astrid that the Hike Leader Training session to be held in 2017 be free to the participants as per previous formula. Passed.

Proposal to give $100 to the Gregorpalooza fund to help Sarah Daigle with her medical expenses was passed. Motion by Shelley, seconded by Heather.

Enquiry by Phill re refunds from VTA membership fees. Apparently this is about $2.50 per member and has not changed in many years. Carol Blacquiere, the VTA President, said she would look into it and see if this should be increased.

Carol also mentioned they are looking to obtain a large grant, probably from the Trillium Foundation, using the large bequest received by the VTA some years ago that has been sitting in the bank gathering interest, to leverage a grant totaling 2 or 3 times the amount in the bank. This would be used to fund major projects throughout the VTA clubs. More detail to come.

Other matters

Winterfest. George gave initial schedule information. Sign up sheets were provided for the various tasks.

Denison wishes to have an orientation session again with our club and the Penokeans  re hiking on mine lands. A suitable date will be broadcast once confirmed.

City of Elliot Lake requires us to sign a Memorandum of Understanding, mainly re our responsibilities for trails maintenance. There are several issues that have to be clarified before we sign and a meeting will be held on  Jan. 24^th. to finalize. This is obviously also connected with our stipend, we have received the 2015 amount, and intend to put a claim in for 2016 at that same meeting.

Next General Meeting 21 Mar. 2017. 

***** Highway Cleanup *****

Our semi-annual highway cleanup will take place on Friday, May 12, weather permitting.  Raindate, Wednesday, May 17th. Please meet in the Sears parking lot at 10 am.  Safety vests and equipment will be supplied.  We will be picking up trash on both sides of the highway between the Depot boat launch and the Airport with a prize for "Treasure in the Trash"!